Tecnica Cochise Pro 130

In a year where new releases were dominated by fixed-cuff, traditional boots, a handful of hike mode models continue to stand apart from the field, providing a flawless combination of fit, skiability, convenient cuff release and range of motion. The Cochise Pro 130 is one of them. It rolls back into our test this year with an improved, Cochise-specific CAS (Custom Adaptive Shape) liner but this winning package is otherwise unchanged.

The focus on foot-shape driven design is apparent in the Cochise. Testers lauded additional contouring at the navicular bone, asymmetrical ankle pockets, a more ergonomic groove for the Achilles tendon and a taller, squared-off toebox that makes skiing and hiking more enjoyable. It's right down the middle of narrow-class fit tension but with grip and relief placed right where needed.

The Cochise skied like a solid Alpine boot. Testers loved its solid flex feel and absolute trenching torque that spools up quickly turn-to-turn. It can hang on locked-up frontside boiler plate, tear through breakable crust, or float along in well-earned untracked pow. All in a day's work, ma’am.

For those who choose to work for their turns, the metal-to-metal Cuff Mobility release mechanism is simple, intuitive and bombproof. For an Alpine-esq sidecountry boot, the cuff's range of travel is better than most and has a gliding, low-friction feel.